Furniture



.l. STEPHAN.

FURNITURE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 29. ms.

Patented Jan. 6, 1920.

J. STEPHAN.

FURNITURE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 29. 1915.

Patented Jan. 6, 1920.

4 SHEETSSHEET 2.

J. STEPHAN. FURNITURE. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 29. 1915.

Patented Jan. 6, 1920.

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Lrvezfrk JACOB STEPHAN, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

FURNITURE,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 6, 1920.

Application filed September 29, 1915. Serial No. 53,164.

To all whom it may concern: 7

.lEe it known that l, JACOB Eirnrnan, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Furniture, of which the following is a full, clear, and ex act description.

This invention relates to combination furniture and particularly to an ornamental and useful piece of furniture so constructed that it may be employed for several distinct purposes.

In the present embodiment of my invention this article or piece of furniture may be employed for at least five distinct purposes, which include a window seat, a hall seat, or the like, a settee or davenport with a cushion seat with spring base and adjustable back rest, a similar device with an extension leg and foot rest and capable of seating two or more persons in a reclining position, a receptacle for clothing and wearing apparel similar to a trunk, and a full sized bed. As will be apparent from the following description, this device is composed of a combination of features, part or all of which c0- opcrate in various ways to enable the device to be used for the different purposes above stated, and which is so constructed that when used for one purpose the features or details which are employed for one or more other purposes are out of sight and out of the way so as not to afiect the appearance or functioning of the device.

The invention may be further briefly summarized as consisting in certain novel details of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts which will be described in the specification and set forth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, 1 have shown one embodiment of my invention device with extension foot or leg rests in operative position for use; F ig. at is a transverse sectional view showing the spring sections extended as when the device is used as a full sized bed; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the same; Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the same; Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view on an enlarged scale of the folded device shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 8 is a sectional view of a portion of the device substantially along the line 88 of Fig. 7 Fig. 9 is a side view of portion of one of the ends of the main frame or receptacle part of the device; and Fig. 10 is a detail sectional view illustrating the manner in which the back or top member may be supported in different inclined positions.

The article of furniture constituting the subject-matter of this invention includes a rectangular box-like receptacle or frame comprising two ends 10, a front rail or side 11, a back or rear rail or side 12, a bottom 13, and a combined lid, seat and back rest 1% which normally, or when the device is used as a receptacle, window or hall seat, is in horizontal position, and when used as a couch, settee or davenport with or with out the leg rest, is in upright or inclined position, and when the device is used as a bed is swung downwardly and rearwardly to the rear of the rear wall or side 12.

The bottom member 13 is preferably formed of metal and the remaining walls or sides, including the lid or seat 14, are preferably, though not necessarily, formed of wood which can be ornamented and finished in any desired manner.

The front rail or side 11 includes a hinged flap which is composed of two hinged sections 11 and 11 This flap can be swung up along the front of the receptacle to the front edge of the seat It so as to entirely close the space beneath the top or seat 1% in the manner illustrated in Fig. 1, or it can be swung downwardly along the front in the manner illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 so as to permit the leg and foot rest or extension to be moved outwardly, or the section 11 may be folded over on the inside of the upper section 11 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 2, it being so folded or positioned when the device is used as a couch, settee or davenport as illustrated in the figure last referred to.

The rear wall or rail 1:2 includes a fixed section and upper movable section 12 which is attached to one of the spring sections to be referred to presently, and is adapted to slide inwardly and outwardly with the sliding spring section much like the front of an ordinary dresser or cupboard drawer.

The end rails or sections 1.0 are preferabijv extended upwardly above the seat portion 14 so as to form arm rests which function as do the arm rests of ordinary couches and the like.

The rear part of the seat or lid 14 is inclined upwardly and rearwardly, as shown at 14 so as to afford a rest or support for the back of the occupant and also for the purpose of supporting the said lid or seat 14 in upright or inclined position, as illus trated in Fig. 3. This seat or lid 14 normally rests upon two shoulders or ledges 10 which are provided along the inner sides of the end members or walls 10. The rear parts of these shoulders or ledges are not straight and horizontal but are given a peculiar series of curves to conform substantially but not necessarily entirely to the curves or convolutions provided at the rear ends of brackets 16 which are secured to the ends of the lid or seat 14 and normally lie along and just inside the end members 10. (See particularly Fig. 1.)

The seat or lid 14 is preferably concave on the top so as to form a comfortable seat and on its under side is provided with suitable upholstering 14- for use when the member 14 is raised and employed as a back rest, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

The rear corners of the seat, lid or back rest 14 are connected to the ends 10 solely by a pair of links 17 which at their rear ends are pivoted at 17 to the rear corners'of the member 14 and at their forward ends are provided with slides or rollers 17 (see Fig. 8) which may be moved forwardly or rearwardly in horizontal slots 01' slideways 17 (see Fig. 4) provided in the end members 10 substantially on the level with the top edges of the shoulders or ledges 10 pro *ided on the end members 10 for the purpose of sup porting the member 14. These links are inset slightly so that over the same there are formed on the end members 10 shoulders or abutments 10 (see particularly Figs. 4 and 8) which serve as stops against which the links bear when the member 14 is elevated.

This link connection of the member 14 with the ends 10 permits the member 14 to be slid back and forth onthe supporting shoulder 10, and it permits the member 14 to be swung upwardly to the position shown in Fig. 3 so that it will serve as a back rest, and additionally, it permits it to be swung downwardly and rearwardly to a position shown in Fig. 4 so that it will be out of the way and allow one of the spring sections to be slid rearwardly to form with the other spring sections a complete bed spring. When the member 14 is swung upwardly and rearwardly until a hook-like shoulder 16 formed on each of the brackets 16 engages a shoulder 1O extending inwardly slightly from the end member 10 and when the member 14 now adapted to serve as a back rest is tipped or inclined rearwardly until the upper edges of the links 17 engage the shoulders 10 the back is rigidly and firmly supported and held against being tipped rearwardly by any pressure which may be applied by the occupant or occupants resting against this member as a back support. The two shoul ders 10 on the two end members 10 are at the extreme rear end of the shoulders 10. (See particularly Figs. 3, 4 and 8). If it is desired to vary the inclination of the member 14 when serving as a back rest, this can be readily done by rocking the member 14 slightly forward so that the rear rounded edge of the member 14 drops in recesses 10 and then by inserting locking pins 14 shown in Fig. 10 into openings 14 provided in the members 10, the said pins being engaged in notches l6 provided in the brackets 16.

In connection with the construction above described I employ three spring frames or mattress 0r cushion supports, the same being designed 20, 21 and 22. The spring sections are normally arranged one above the other in the manner illustrated in Fig. 7 when the device is used as a receptacle or window or hall seat, but are of course movable from the position shown in that figure when the device is to be used for other pur poses. The construction of the spring sections may be varied to suit the requirements but generally each spring section will be composed of a rectangular frame of a suit able size to fit within the confines of the receptacle and the wires or springs proper stretched across the top of the frame. The three spring sections are normally supported indirectly from the ends or end members 10, supporting flanges or shoulders either being formed directly in these end members or being formed in castings such as illustrated in Fig. 9 adapted to be attached to the ends 10.

The upper section 20 is provided at its corners with lugs which rest upon supporting flanges, the rear lugs 2O (Figs. 7 and 8) each normally resting on a flange or shoul der formed by a substantially horizontal flanged groove 23, and the front lugs 20* (Fig. 7) each normally resting on a flange or shoulder 24 which is beneath an upright flanged groove The next spring section 21 is supported on the section 20 in the manner illustrated in Figs. 8 and 7, the rear parts of section 21 resting on shoulders 26 (see Fig. 7) and the front corners having rollers 27 which normally rest upon shoulders 2S see Fig. 7). The flanged grooves 23 and 25 are provided for the purpose of enabling the front portions and the upper section 20 and section 21 to be swung upwardly so as to permit the lower section 22 to be raised and moved forward-1y out of the receptacle. The front part of the lower section 22 normally rests upon shoulders 29 which are formed on the end members 10 (see particularly Fig. 7) while the rear of this spring section is provided with slides or rollers which engage in diagonal flanged grooves 31 extending upwardly and forwardly along the end members 10.

If it is desired to move the lower section 22 outwardly either in making up the device as a bed or in providing the leg and foot extension, the two upper spring sections will be grasped and swung upwardly, 2'. 6., the front portions will be elevated and then the lower section will be pulled forwardly and upwardly, the flanged diagonal grooves 31 permitting this upward and forward sliding movement. Downturned lips or flanges 38 provided at the lower corner of the spring section 22 limit the outward sliding movement, the rear rollers 30 rest ing on the flanges 24 when this section is fully extended. When the lower spring section 22 is either used as a foot or leg rest or as one-third of the full bed springs, pivoted legs shown at 3st provided along the front of the spring section will be swung downwardly so as to support the outer portion of the section. These legs are foldable up along the front of the spring section and are normally held in elevated position by latches not shown. The middle spring section 21, or what is normally the middle spring section, can then be slid rearwardly to the position shown in Figs. l, 5 and 6, this section carrying the movable part 12 of the rear wall 12 as previously explained. To firmly support the outer corners of the section 21 when it is extended, pivoted legs 35 are provided, these legs being normally folded up and held by latches not shown and movable downward to supporting position. When the movable section 21 is moved outwardly lips or lugs 36 at the front corners of the same engage the shoulders or flanges 26 and lugs, one of which is shown at 37 in Fig. 7, enter between a pair of lugs 88 shown in the same figure at the rear corners of the upper section 20. These devices prevent the middle section being moved outwardly more than the permissible amount.

With this construction, although the spring sections are very compactly arranged in the receptacle, nevertheless they can be very quickly moved from their normal inclosed position and when the supporting legs on the front and rear sections are lowered the spring as a whole is very rigid and it is the size of the standard full bed springs.

In connection with the spring section I employ three mattress sections or cushions 10. The mattress section or cushion 10 for the upper spring section will normally remain on that spring section just beneath the seat or lid let so that when the latter is swung upwardly the said mattress or cushion 40 will be in position and will serve as an upholstered seat, or as a mattress section depending upon whether the device is to be used as a seat or as a bed. The other two mattress sections or cushions will normally be retained in the lower part of the receptacle beneath the spring section 22, there being ample space between this spring section and the bottom 13 of the receptacle for these two mattress sections and also for other articles such as wearing apparel.

The construction above described is strong and serviceable, as well as attractive in appearance. The various parts can be shifted easily and quickly, and when the device is used for one purpose it is strong and rigid and admirably adapted for that purpose regardless of the other uses to which the article may be put by changing the arrangement of parts or the positions of some of the parts which enter into the construction. Additionally, the features which are used for one purpose do not interfere either with the use or appearance of the device when used for a different purpose,

While I have shown only the preferred construction, it will be apparent that certain changes may be made without afi'ecting to any great extent the utility of the device, and I, therefore, aim in my claims to cover all such modifications which do not involve a departure from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In an article of the class described. a frame having side and end members and a top' adapted when in horizontal position to form a seat and having a link connection with the ends of the frame adapted to support the top in upright position to serve as a back rest, said top having a bodily sliding movement relative to the other parts of the frame, said connection including links connected to the top and having sliding connections with the end members.

2. In an article of the cless described, a frame having side and end members and a top or seat, links connecting said top or seat with the end members, substantially horizontal guideways in the end members for the forward ends of said links whereby said links have a sliding connection with said end members, and stops or shoulders extending along said guideways and against which said links are adapted to bear when said seat is placed in upright position so that it may serve as a back rest,

said seat being bodily movable forwardly or rearwardly.

3. In an article of the class described, a frame composed of side and end members and a top or seat member, said top being adapted to lie substantially horizontally and to be elevated so that it may serve as a back rest, said frame having shoulders at its upper rear corners and said top having shoulde at its upper rear corners adapted to engage the first named shoulders when the top is elevated, and links connecting said top with the end members, said links having a sliding connection with the end members.

4. In an article of the class described,

a boxdike frame having end members and a top or seat member, said top being adapted to lie substantially horizontally and to be elevated so that it may serve as a back rest, said frame having shoulders at its upper rear corners and the top having shoulders at its upper rear corners adapted to engage the first named shoulders when i the top is elevated, links connecting the said top with the end members and having a sliding connection with the end members, and shoulders or abutments against which said links are adapted to bear when the top is elevated.

5. In an article of the class described, a frame composed of side and end members and a top or scat member adapted to be supported in horizontal position so as to constitute a seat and adapted to be elevated so that it may serve as a back rest, shoulders on the end members adapted to constitute a support for the seat member, links connecting said seat member with the end members and having a sliding connection with said end members whereby the seat member may be swung downwardly and rearwardly at the rear of said frame.

6. In an article of the class described, a boxdike frame including a pair of end members having substantially horizontal guideways extending substantially to the rear ends of said end members, and a seat or top having sliding link connections with said end members, said connections including links pivotally connected at their rear ends to said top and at their forward ends engaging said guideways, said seat or top being bodily movable relative to the other parts of the frame, and means cooperating with said links to support the top in upright position.

7. In an article of the class described, a frame or receptacle composed of side and end members, a plurality of spring sections or cushion or mattress supports arranged one beneath the other in the receptacle, one of said sections being supported so that it may be swung upwardly at the front so as to permit a section beneath to be moved bodily forwardly and upwardly, upright guideways cooperating with the section adapted to be swung upwardly, and inclined guideways cooperating with the ends of the section adapted to be moved forwardly and upwardly.

8, In an article of the class described, a frame or receptacle having side and end members and a plurality of spring sections normally arranged one beneath the other in the receptacle, one of said sections being slidable rearwardly, another being slidable forwardly and upwardly, and a third section adapted to be swung upwardly at the front to permit the second section to be given its forward and upward movement.

9. in an article of the class described, a frame or receptacle having side and end members and a lid or seat member, a plurality of spring sections 11 rmally arrange l one beneath the other in said receptacle, one of said spring sections being slidable rearwardly, another being slidable for wardly and upwardly, a third and said first named spring section being capable of upi'vard swinging movement so as to enable said forwardly movable section to be given its forward and upward movement.

10. lln an article of the class described, a frame or receptacle composed of side and end members, a plurality of spring sections normally arranged one beneath the other in said receptacle, upright guideways on the end members engaged by the ends of the uppermost section and permitting the uppermost section to be swung upwardly by lifting the section from the front, and inclined guideways on the end members ongaged by the ends of the lower section and permitting said lower section to be slid forwardly and upwardly when the uppermost section is elevated.

11. In an article of the class described, a frame or receptacle having side and end members and a lid or seat member, three spring sections normally arranged one beneath the other in said receptacle, the middle section being slidable rearwardly, the lowermost being movable forwardly and upwardly and the uppermost and middle sections being capable of upward swinging movement so as to enable said lowermost section to be given its forward and upward movement.

12. In an article of the class described, a frame or receptacle having side and end members and a lid or seat member, three spring sections normally arranged one be neath the other in said receptacle, the middle section being slidable rearwardly, the lowermost being movable forwardly and upwardly and the upper-most and middle sections being capable of upward swinging movement so as to enable said lowermost section to be given its forward and upward movement, a portion of the rear wall of said receptacle being secured to said rearwardly movable section.

13. In an article of the class described, a frame or receptacle having side and end members and a lid or seat member, a plurality of spring sections normally arranged one beneath the other in said receptacle, one

of said spring sections being slidable rearwardly another being slidable forwardly and upwardly, the uppermost section and the section beneath the same being capable of upward swinging movement so as to enable the lowermost section to be given its forward and upward movement, part of the rear wall of said receptacle being secured to said rearwardly movable section, and said front wall including foldable hinged sections.

14-. In an article of the class described, a frame having side and end members and a top normally supported in a substantially horizontal position and connected to the ends so that it may be elevated to serve as a back rest or swung downwardly to the rear of the frame, and a plurality of spring sections normally in said receptacle, one of said sections being movable forwardly and the other rearwardly over the backwardly swung top so as to form a full size bed.

15. In an article of the class described, a frame or body and a top member adapted to be supported in substantially horizontal position and to be supported in upright position, links connecting the top to the frame or body, both the top and the links being bodily movable relative to the frame or body, the lower rear part of the top memher and the upper rear part of the frame having shoulders which cooperate with the links to support the top in upright position.

16. In an article of the class described, a frame or body and a top adapted to be supported in substantially horizontal position and also in elevated position so that it may serve as a back rest, links connecting the top to the frame or body, said top being bodily movable forwardly or rearwardly, the lower rear part of the top and the upper rear part of the frame having shoulders which cooperate with the links to support the top in elevated position.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my signature.

JACOB STEPHAN. 

